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E'. G.'COX. BELT TRACTOR ATTACHMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION mu) MAYM, 1911. RENEWED IAN. 9.1920.

Patented Apr. 18, 1922.

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2a; ATTORNEYS E. G. COX.

BELT TRACTOR ATTACHMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14. 1917. RENEWED IAN. 8,1920.

1 ,4 1 3,1 00. Patented Apr. 18, 1922.

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INVENTOR Eh WW6 0 E. G. COX.

BELT TRACTOR ATTACHMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAYH, 1911. RENEWED JAN. 8,1920.

WITNESSES fl/ Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

EDWIN G. COX, OF WALLA W'ALLA, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR TO THE E. G. COX MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF OAKLrlND, CALIFORNIA, [L CORPORATION OF CALI- FORNIA.

BELT-TRACTOR AT'LkACHMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 18, 1922.

Application filed May 14, 1917, Serial No. 168,545. Renewed January 8, 1920. Serial No. 350,245.

To all talcum it may concern:

it known that l lilowiii ti Cox, a a ates, and n resident of V'alla Walla, in the county oi l l allu l jztllkt and Suite 0t vi ushingtoin hove invented a cert-(tin new and useful Tniprovement in Belt-Tractor 'Attuelnnents tor lllotor Vehicles, of which the following is specification.

The principal object of my present invention is to provide a tractor attachment lor automobiles and auto trucks having? on improved method ct drive direct from the rcur cxlc oi. the machine to which the trurtor is attached.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tractor attachment for motor vehicles incorporating an improved arrangement whereby the motor vehicle may be used as a power plant; ior stationary work.

With these and other objects ":1 view \vl'iich will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination, and arrangement oi parts hereinafter more fully descriliied and rhiimed, and illustra ed in the accrnnp Zing drawings in which like lillltlifllfib reference indicate like parts tln-ougg hout the PP'VGlEil n tices of which l' igure i represents view in elevation of an automobile equipped with a tractor attachment coiistructe-zl according to my in- Vent'ion Figure 2 represents a top plan View ol the rear portion oi th clnissis of the mrtoznobile, the tinct-z" attaclnnent being shown in phi-re thereon;

Figure 3 represents a view in section taken vertically on the plane indicated by the line 2 3 ct Figure 1, the parts being e n i arged.

l ig ui'e l represents a plan view partially section of on of the jacket shutts and :nijacent purts, swing; the clutch whereby the smaller sprocket may be (50!; led with andumoupled from the jack s Figure represents a fragmentary View in elevation of the tractor chain or belt;

Figure 6 represents a View in section taken longitudinally through one of the side beams adjacent the end thereof showing the adjustable bearing; for the rear nine- 01" the tractor;

This eiXle at its ends it Figure 7 represents s fragmentary View in perspective of one of the angle irons used on the tractor belt;

Figure 8 represents a view in elevation of an auto truck equipped With a tractor attachment constructed according to my invention;

Figure 9 represents an enlarged. View in section taken transversely of the truck attachment along the rear axle thereof, on the plane indicated by the line 9-9 of l igure 8;

Figure 1.0 represents a, fragmentary sectional View of one oi? the rear orive Wheels taken on the plane indicated by the line ill--10 of Figure 9 lei'erring more particularly to the drawings the frame oi? the automobile tractor attachment shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, includes the side beams 5, preferably made of suitable clninnel iron, connected tonether at their rear. ends by the cross piece (1, and at their front ends by the cross bar 7. lie tractor attachment f in is greater in width than the body frame 8 of the automobile, as clearly shown in Figure 2. The extends under the frame 8, and

cross bar 3 is also preferably arranged below the side beams Arranged transversely of the lii'nrtor frame adjacent its rear end, n axle 9 on which. the smaller rear WliGBlrh hereinafter termed the drive Wheels l(), are journaled. suitsbly mounted in the adjustable bearings Ll. These bearings, as shown in Figure 6, are slidable longitudinally Within the side beams 5 being adjustnbly secured thereto by means of the bolt and slot connections 12. An adjusting;- srrew or bolt 13 is connected at its :Foiwvard end to each of the adjustable bearings l1,

and at its rear end passes through on opening in the. down turned rear end of the side be on :is clearly shown, and is equipped with nuts 14 whereby it may be adjusted for adjusting the biaring 11. and'may be locked in aiiljusted position. It will be understood of course that each of the bearings ll is equipped With the adjusting means just described.

Each of the drive Wheels ll) is equipped on its outside with a sprocket These sprockets are driven by chains 1.6 from smaller sprocket wheels 17 mounted on the jack shaft 18. The sprockets 17 may be connected for rotation with the jack shaft 18, or may hedisconnected from, the jack shaft l8through the operation. of suitable clutches indicated at 20. When the clutches are in the position indicated in Figures 2 and i, the sprockets 17 will be driven as the jack shafts are driven. When, however, these clutches 20 are loosened and moved away from. the sprockets. 17, the ack shafts are free to rotate without driving the sprockets 17.

Each otthe jack shafts 18 is rotatably mounted in a sleeve orbearing lined by meansv oi suitable U-shapedclips 22' on top of the side beams 5, as clearly shown, The sleeves or bearings 21 i re termed integrally with or mounted upon plates 22 which have inwardly extending arms 23 terminating in bearings 24L in which the inner ends of thejaek' shafts T8 are journaled as clearly shown. On the outer end of each oi? thejack shafts is keyed a larger sprocket 25, and these sprockets are preferably arranged on the outer sides of the beams 5, the smaller sprockets 17 being arranged on the inner sides thereof. The sprockets 25 are driveirby, means of endless chains 26 tromsprockets 27, mounted, as shown in Figure 2",, adjacent the outer ends of the stub ax-1e 28.

Each oi the stub-axles, at its inner-end, is provided with a socket '39 :ulapted' to be l-teyed onto the spindle 30 ot one of the segien'ts oi the drive axle ot the auton'iobile to which the tractor attachment is to be applied, after the drive wheel oi? the automobile has been removed. This arrangement is shown in Figure 3. Mcunted i'or rotation upon and relatively to each oi the stub axles 28, is a sleeve El which is somewhat greater in internal diameter than the diameter of the stub axle, and between whitzh sleeve and the stub axle are interposed suitable bearings oi? desired type. These sleeves at their inner ends are formed integrally with or suitably secured to the web portion 33 of what may be termed the larger or main wheel of the tractor attachment. In the construction shown in Figure 3, the tubular hubs as of the larger wheels secured by flanges 35' and bolts ac to the inner ends of the sleeves 31, such hubs being mounted lor rotation upon the anti-trictionbearings 32 interposedbetweenthe hubs and the stub axles 28. The inner ends ot'liuhs tie l may bear against the annular shoi'llders lined'by flanges termed at the outer ends of the sockets 29 on the stub axles. These sleeves 31' are each rotatably mounted within a tubular bearing 38, such bearings being secured by means of U-bolts or clips 39 upon the side beams 5 of the attachment, as shown clearly in Figure 2. The bearing-tubes 38 may be interiorly grooved andequipped with oil cups 39, or such other suitable method of lubricating the hearing may be employed as desired. The sleeve, in each instance, adjacent the inner endv of its bearing 38, is formed with a shoulder 4:0 which limits the outward movement oi? the sleeve relatively to the bearing. Closures a1 screwed or otherwise suitably secured in the sleeves 31 at their outer ends, serve to enclose the sleeves and prevent entrance of foreign matter to the bearings The sprockets 27 for driving the chains 26, are keyed upon the stub axles 28 preferably just outside of the closures ll at the ends oft-he sleeves 31.

Over each of the drive wheels 10 and its corresponding larger or main wheel as, runs an endless tractor belt indicated generally by the numeral 4-3. This belt in each instance, is formed of a pair of endless link chains 44 connected at intervals by transversely extending substantially V-shaped angle irons 415, as clearly shown in Figure 5. These angle irons arearrangod atfsuitable inter 'vals apart, and are secured to the proper links of chain 44; through the medium of suitable U-bolts d6. At each end the angle irons are provided on one side with an opening 47 through which the shank of the bolt is extended, and on its opposite side with a slot 4-8, as indicated in Figure 7, into which the end of the U-bolt, after being engaged through the links, is forced. The nut with which the free end oi? the bolt is equipped is then turned down against the angle iron for securing the bolt in place.

The angle irons are arranged of course on the outside of the tractor belt to afford a positive grip against the surface of the roadway over which the vehicle is travelling. The tractor belts are of a width substantially equal to the width of the wheels 10 and 42, and these wheels are equipped with the annular channel or groove members 4-9 within which the chains ll run as show-n in Figure 3. The edges of the angle irons 4-5 are thus free to bear against the peripheries of the wheels 10 and 42. In order that the wheels will roll smoothly over hard roadways, the channels 49 of the wheels at their outer sides are extended to form flanges 50 which at their edges are adapted to bear against the roadway. The edges of these flanges lie s-isuhstantially flush. with the apices oi? the angle irons 45, so that a smooth tread i surface for the wheels is thus provided; At the same time, in sotter ground the flanges 50 will sink, and the angle irons will come lot] into play to provide a positive drive and positive grip tor the tractor belts.

In operation ordinarily the clutches 20 are in position to lock thGSPIOClIGtS 17 with the jaekshatts'll l. The drive is then delivered tromthe rear axle segments of the automobile, to the stub axles 28 and sprockets 27,

thence through the medium of the chains :26 to the larger oroclrets 25 whereby to drive the jack shaftsv 18. These shafts rotate the sprockets l7 and the latter drive the chains 16 which in turn drive the wheels 10. The latter transmit the motion to the tractor belts 43 whereby to impart a positive motion to the vehicle. The belts 43 run over and rotate the larger wheels 42, and these wheels rotate idly relatively to the stub axle 28. The sprockets 27 preferably are smaller than sprockets 25, and the sprockets 17 smaller than sprockets 15, so that a double reduction speed occurs in the transmission of power from the stub axles to the drive wheels ll). in order that a positive transmission of power will be delivered to the tractor belts from the drive wheels 10, the latter as shown in Fi ure 10, are provided with transversely extending channels or grooves 51 in which the angle irons 4:5 engage as they travel around the drive wheels.

In order that the attachment may be used in stationary work, one of the stub axles as shown in Figure 3, is provided with an. extension on which a drive pulley 52 may he keyed, From this pulley a belt, not shown, for doing the work required may be driven. Vlhen stationary work is to be done, the clutches 20 are shifted whereby to unlock the sprockets 17 from the jack shafts, and then a tumbling rod indicated in dotted lines at 53, which rod may be of suitable construction, is coupled to the inner squared ends of the jack shafts in order to effect a unity of movement between the shafts. Thus, power will be transmitted from the stub axle to both jack shafts, but will not be delivered to the drive wheels 10. By providing the turnbling rod connection between the ack shafts, the power from both of the rear axle segments of the automobile may he used in driving the pulley 52.

.ln the attachment designed particularly for use in connection with auto trucks, as indicated in Figures 8 and 9, the structure is substantially the same with the exception that there is but one reduction in speed be tween the stub axles indicated at 28 and the drive wheels 10. The power is transmitted from the stub axles to the drive wheels through the medium of an. endless chain 26 which runs over a smaller sprocket 27 mounted on the axle 28, and over a larger sprocket 15 from which the power is delivered to the drive wheel. In the truck attachment, the rear axle construction and the manner of mounting and driving the drive wheels 10, differs somewhat from the arrangement used in the tractor attachment shown in Figures 1 and 2. Rotatably mounted on one end of the rear axle 9 of the truck attachment is a sleeve'53, and this sleeve is journaled for rotation in a cylindrical hearing 54, secured by means of suit able U-shaped bolts or clips to the side bar 51 beneath the same. This sleeve 53 has one of the drive sprockets 15 keyed thereon, and upon the sleeve is rotatably mounted one of the drive wheels 10, such wheel heing adapted to be coupled to and uncoupled from the sleeve 53 through the medium of a clutch shown at 56. The sleeve in turn may be coupled to the axle 9 for rotation therewith, or may be uncoupled from the axle through the operation of a second clutch 57. As shown, this clutch is mounted for longitudinal adjustment on the shaft 9, and may be brought into and out of locking engagement with a cap 58 fixed on the sleeve 338 as shown in Figure 9. The other drive wheel 10 is rotatably mounted directly upon the axle 9, and may be coupled for rotation therewilh or uncoupled therefrom, through the medium of a third clutch 59. The other end of the axle 9' from that on which the sleeve 53 mounted, is rotatably ournaled in a hearing 60 secured by means of clips 61 to the other side beam, and the remaining drive sprocket 15 is keyed directly onto this end of the axle 9.

Ordinarily, while running, the drive wheel 10 which is mounted directly on the axle 9, is coupled with said axle through the medium of the clutch 59 so as to be positively driven from the axle. The other wheel is locked with the sleeve 53 to be driven from the sleeve, it being remembered that this sleeve is driven positively from one of the sprockets 15. The sleeve is, however, uncoupled from the axle 9, and is free to rotate relatively to the axle, so that the action Ofl' the differential gearing in the rear axle of the truck, will not be interfered with. l/Vhen however the truck attachment is to be used for stationary work, a pulley indicated at 62 is mounted on one end of the axle 9, from which pulley the belt or other transmission means is driven. The drive wheel 10 which is mounted directly on the axle 9 is then uncoupled from the axle through proper manipulation of the clutch 59, the other drive wheel 10 is uncoupled from the sleeve 53, and the sleeve and axle are locked together so as to rotate in unison through the medium of the clutch 57. Thus, the axle and sleeve will be driven as a unit and will receive their power from both of the segments of the rear axle of the truck. At the same time the drive wheels 10 will not be rotated, but will act as ournals for the axle. In order that the axle and sleeve may be properly lubricated, a suitable oiling means of a common, or some other preferred construction, indicated generally at 63, is provided on each of the wheel hubs.

By using the small wheels in the rear as a propelling medium, depending upon the tension. of the belt to hold them to the ground, the natural force of the flow of power through iGO iournaled on the axle, jl'jli shafts iournaled on said frame, s n-rickets mounted on the drive WllGGlS, smaller sprockets rotatably mounted on the jack shafts, transmission means between the drive wheel sprockets and the smaller sprockets, means for coupling the smaller sprockets with the jael: shafts at will, larger sprockets fixed on the jack shafts for rotating the latter, stub axles rotatably mounted on the frame, means for connecting the stub axles \vith'the driven axle of the vesicle for directly drivingthe stub axles from the driven axle, smaller sprockets mounted on the stub axles, transmission means between the stub axle sprockets and the larger sprockets fixed on the jack Slltl'itS, main wheels journaled on the stub axles, and tractor belts running over the said driven wheels and the said main wheels.

2. A. tractor attachment for a motor vehicle having a driven axle, comprisinga frame, small drive wheels journaled, on the frame, stnh axles rotatahly mounted on the frame, transmission means between the stub axles and the drive wheels for driving said drive wheels, means effecting a coimling of the stub axles with the driven axle of the vehicle whereby the stub axles will. he dire-c driven by said axle, main wheels journaled for rotationupon the stub axles, and tractor belts running over the drive wheels and the main wheels.

8, :i tractor attachment for a motor vehicle having a driven axle, eomprisinga frame having drive wheels mounted thereon, stub axles mounted for rotation relatively to the frame, means for coi'ipling the stub axles with the vehicle axle whereby the stub axles may be driven directly from the vehicle axle, main wheels mounted for rotation relatively to the stub axles, transmission means between the stub axles and the drive wheels, and tractor belts running over the drive wheels and the main wheels.

ll. tractor attachment for a motor vehicle having a driven axle provided with differential drive gearing, coi'i'iprising stub axles arranged to be directly coupled with therespective ends of the driven axle, a pulley on one of the stub axles, a pair of jack sl'ial'ts arranged to be d iven from the respective stub axles. and means for coupling the iacla she" s together to lock the dififerential raring and obtain the full driving power of the rear axle at the pulley.

tractor attachment for a motor vehicle having driven axle PI'OYlClGCl with differential driving gearing, comprising stub les arranged to be directly coupled to the respective ends of the dr'ven axle, a pulley mounted on one of the stub axles, a supporting frame, a pair of jack shafts journaled on the frame, means for driving the respective jack shafts from the, companion stub axles, and means including a coupling rod for connecting the jack sl afts together to lock the differential drive gearing and apply the full power of the driven axle to the pulley.

(5. A tractor attachment for a motor vehicle including frame, stulo axles journaled on the frame and arranged to be directly driven from the vehicle axle, main wheels having an independent rotational mounting on the stub axles, drive wheels journaled in the frame, interinediati-i power transmitting and speed reducing means including a'pair t jack shafts journaled on the frame with driving connections to the companionstul') axles and drive wheels, and tractor belts ap plied to the companion main and drive wheels forming the indirect driving connections for the main wheels from the axle driven stub axles.

7. A tractor attachment for a motor vehicle having a driven axle, comprising. a pair of stub axles arranged tobe attached directly on the respective ends of the driven axle, main wheels mounted for independent rotation on the respective stub axles, drive wheels having a common supporting axle, a pair of intermediate jack shafts, driving means between the stub axles, jack shafts and common shaft respectively, for increasing the power and reducing the speed,and tractor lielts applied to the companion main and drive wheels providing the external. and indirect driving means for the main wheels from the stub axles.

8. A tractor attachment for a motor vehicle having a driven axle, comprising a stub axle, means for coupling the stub axle directly to the driven axle, a tractor helt, means for driving the tractor belt from the stub axle, a pulley driven by the stub axle, and means for disconnecting the belt driving means whereby the pulley may be driven without driving the tractor belt.

EDWIN G. COX. 

